MESSAGE FROM THE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Welcome to the summer 2024 edition of Contractor Tools !
Our first article is a discussion between Contractor Tools , MWIS ’ founder and former CEO , Ingrid Merriwether ( now HUB ’ s President of Aligned Risk Management ), and HUB ’ s President & CEO for Central & Northern California and President of Commercial Insurance , Darren Caesar . The conversation addresses the May 2024 acquisition of Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services ’ ( MWIS ) by HUB International , and why this transition is a plus for all of MWIS ’ clients and stakeholders , including our contractor development and bonding programs .
The rest of this issue focuses primarily on the topic of safety , including how you can improve your safety record , the importance of regulatory compliance , necessary safety documentation , and a short list of construction-specific safety organizations .
Safety is one of the key challenges for any contractor – it impacts your bottom line and perception of your company in ways that are often difficult to mitigate . In our overview on why safety matters in the construction industry , Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services ’ ( MWIS ) Risk Management Safety Manager , Tony Malson , and Field Support Project Executive , Robert Lowery , discuss ways to prevent accidents , the significance of your EMR rating , and steps you can take to improve your safety record .
In this issue , we also address some of the other main challenges facing contractors today . We look at the cost of supply chain disruptions , rising materials costs and skilled labor shortages , with suggestions for possible solutions . As the article outlines , delays and supply chain disruptions cost the construction industry more than a staggering $ 200 billion a year .
In our “ How an Escalation Clause can Protect LBEs ” article , we review how escalation clauses can be of benefit to contractors and how , by including an escalation clause in the contract , they can protect themselves against unexpected cost increases and ensure that they are fairly compensated for their work .
02 - imwis . com